Apparatus for covering swimming pools



(3. N. SANFORD APPARATUS FOR COVERING SWIMMING POOLS May 19, 1970 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 21, 1967 eorye /V. 50/25/04 INVENTOR.

lf/orne May 19, 1970 I G. N. SANFORD APPARATUS FOR COVERING SWIMMINGPOOLS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 21, 1967 I eoye 4 SZM/rof l 94- f i 2/Z4 INVENTOR.

I i BY United States Patent 3,512,186 APPARATUS FOR COVERING SWIMMINGPOOLS George N. Sanford, 4820 Faculty Ave., Long Beach, Calif. 90808Filed Aug. 21, 1967, Ser. No. 662,056

Int. Cl. E04h 3/18 US. Cl. 4172.12 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURESwimming pool covering apparatus having a skeleton frame mountable overa swimming pool and a flexible plastic sheet for disposition over theframe. A peripheral portion of the cover is anchored, and anotherperipheral portion is weighted but adapted to be lifted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When swimming pools are uncovered and openeven gentle breezes blow in dust and litter which must be removedfrequently at the expense of at least considerable time. If thiscleaning job is hired there is a labor charge that can bcome expensive.

Further, a great deal of heat is lost into the air from the surface ofthe water and when pools are heated by the usual heating means the costof heating them is considerable.

Also, in cool weather, using the pool looses much of the pleasureusually derived therefrom, for even though the water is warm the air ischilly and when one exposes even a part of his or her body to the airafter being in the warm water the chilly air is uncomfortable to manypeople.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a swimming pool coverarrangement having a skeleton frame over the pool. The frame is readilyset up and easily removed if desired. When the frame is anchored to thepool deck a plastic cover is disposed over the frame. A peripheralportion of the cover is anchored by means of weights such as sandbags sothat this peripheral portion of the cover will be securely held againstlifting. This portion of the cover extends along one side and at least aportion of one end.

There is an elongated tubular weight such as a plastic or metal pipeattached to a portion of the cover opposite the anchored portion. Thetubular Weight is sufiiciently heavy to keep the edge portion of thecover weighted thereby on the deck under normal conditions but thisportion of the cover will be raised by the wind to allow hot air toescape. Also this portion of the cover may be lifted by raising thetubular weight so that this part or portion of the cover may serve as adoor for those wishing to enter or leave the pool.

The frame comprises a longitudinally extending member or ridge pole anda plurality of laterally extending members or rafters at the sides ofsaid ridge pole. Both the ridge pole and the rafters curve upwardly fromthe pool deck so there is considerable space between the surface of thewater and the cover or roof for the pool. More particularly at least atthe central part of the covered area the cover is several feet above thesurface of the Water thereby providing ample head room for those usingthe pool to swim or stand in the shallow portion of the pool.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the inventionto provide swimming pool cover apparatus that protects the pool fromdust and litter being blown thereinto.

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Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thischaracter having a portion of the cover which will rise and permit someof the hot air to escape from beneath the cover.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thischaracter having a portion of the cover that serves as a door so thatthose wishing to enter the pool may readily raise such portion and enterthe pool. Likewise those wishing to leave the pool may do so by liftingthis same door portion.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thischaracter that provides ample head room or space above the surface ofthe water so that the cover will not interfere with normal swimming,bathing or similar use of the pool.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thischaracter that will retain in the space defined by the cover the airwarmed by the water of the pool so that those using the pool will not bechilled when emerging from the Water and the ambient air is cool orcold.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are furthersufficiently referred to in connection with the following detaileddescription of the accompanying drawings which represent an embodimentof the invention and certain alternative elements. After consideringthese examples, skilled persons will understand that many variations maybe made Without departing from the principles disclosed and Icontemplate the employment of any structures, arrangements or modes ofoperation that are properly within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a swimming pool with the present inventionoperably positioned thereover, a portion of the flexible cover beingbroken away;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 66 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged alternative arrangement for anchoring a peripheraledge portion of the cover;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 88 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a trough for sandbags.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings, there isshown a swimming pool, indicated generally at 10, and the covering meanswhich includes a frame or skeleton, indicated generally at 12, and acover therefor, indicated generally at 14.

The pool includes the usual bottom 16, side walls 18 and 20respectively, and end Walls 22 and 24 respectively. There is the usualcoping 26 and the deck 28 extending outwardly from the walls and thecoping of the pool.

While the frame or skeleton 12 may be asymmetrical, it is shown as beingsymmetrical and as comprising a longitudinally extending tubular memberor pipe termed herein the ridgepole 30 which has a substantiallyhorizontal central portion 30a and downturned end portions 30b which aretermed legs, the lower ends of which rest on or adjacent to the deck 28.There are a plurality of tubular members or pipes termed rafters 36which extend laterally of the ridgepole and in opposite directionstherefrom. These rafters are formed in bow shaped or arcuately shapedtubular pipes forming rafter units of two rafters extending in oppositedirections from the center of the bow and each rafter terminates in aleg 36a.

The free lower end of the legs of the rafters are in substantially acommon plane in which the free ends of the legs of the ridgepoleterminate. All of the legs of the frame rest on or adjacent to the deck28.

Attached to and spaced longitudinally of the ridge pole are what aretermed fixtures each having a body 41 with a longitudinally extendinggroove 42 in the upper side, said groove being concave in cross sectionand adapted to receive a lower part of the ridgepole therein. Bore holesextend through the body adjacent the ends thereof for reception ofscrews 44 which are threadably disposed in tapped bores providedtherefor in the ridgepole to thereby secure the fixtures to theridgepole.

Each fixture has a depending boss 46 with a groove 48 therein normal tothe groove 42. Groove 48 of a fixture is concave in cross section andsnugly received in a central portion of a rafter unit. Depending withinthe groove 48 is a pin 50 which is received in a hole 52 providedtherefor at the center of the bow of each rafter unit. Pins 50 retainthe rafter units in position.

Wall 22 of the pool is rounded or arcuate shaped so that the end of thepool defined by well 22 is rounded accordingly. At this end of the poolthere are two rafter units, indicated at 36b and 360. These rafters aresecured to the ridge pole by means of brackets each having a body with alongitudinally extending groove for reception of the adjacent portion ofthe ridgepole, said brackets being secured to the ridgepole by means ofscrews 62 screwed into tapped bores, not shown, provide-cl therefor inthe ridgepole. Each bracket has a depending flange 64 with a D-shapedopening 66 therein for reception and retention in place of therespective rafter units 36b and 360.

The legs of the ridgepole are secured to the deck by any suitableanchoring means. One such means is shown in FIG. 5 and comprises a pairof obtuse members, indicated generally at 70, each of said members 70has a lower part 72 anchored in the deck 28 which is of concrete. Parts72 diverge into the deck and each member 70 has a vertical part 74,parts 74 being adjacent each other. The legs of the ridgepole have lowerfree end portions disposed on the vertical parts of the anchoring meansand a cross bolt 76 received in aligned openings in the legs andvertical parts 74, a nut 78 being tightened on the free end of the bolt.

An alternative anchoring means is shown in FIG. 8 and comprises a rod,indicated generally at 80, having a flange 82 intermediate its endsthereby providing a lower part 84 and an upper part 86. The lower partof the rod is set in the concrete of the deck with the flange 82 restingon the deck surface. The part 86 of the rod extends upwardly of the decksurface and is received in the hollow or tubular leg. The rod 80 may bepermanently fixed in the deck or may be removable therefrom, the deckthen having a socket in which the rod is removably disposed.

Rod 80 is shown as having a rafter leg disposed thereon but it may beused to anchor the legs of the ridgepole.

In FIG. 3 is shown another leg anchoring or securing means. In thisarrangement a rafter leg is shown anchored to the deck but it is to beunderstood that the legs of the ridgepole could also be anchored withthis arrangement.

In FIG. 3 there is shown a recess or slot 90 at the upper edge of thedeck adjacent the expansion joint 92 of the pool. Slot 90 inclinesdownwardly and away from the pool. A somewhat backturned end part orhook 94 of a connecting rod 96 is removably disposed in the slot 90. Atthe opposite end of the rod 96 is a similar hook 98 but oppositelyturned.

A bracket of sheet metal has a body 100 with an opening, not shown,adjacent one end in which the hook 98 is removably received. At theopposite end the bracket has an upturned part 102 which is received inthe lower end portion of a rafter leg 36. Upturned part 102 is convex atits side adjacent the body 100 of the bracket the curvature of said sidebeing the same as the curvature of the inside of'the leg. The raftersare somewhat resilient and by springing them toward each other and thenplacing the legs on the upturned parts 102 of the brackets an outwardpressure or tension is placed on the brackets and links to therebyretain these parts in position and secure the legs and hence the frameto the deck.

The cover 14 comprises a sheet of any well known material such as asuitable plastic. Vinyl is one such material. The cover is somewhatlonger and wider than the area encompassed by the frame so that there isa marginal or peripheral edge portion 106 that can rest on the deck. Apart of this peripheral edge portion is anchored down by means ofweights such as sand bags 108 although other suitable means may be used.The sand bags provide an effective means for anchoring a portion of thecover to the deck and permit quick and easy removal when it is desiredto remove the cover.

The marginal edge portion anchored by the sand bags 108 extends alongthe side of the cover adjacent the wall 20 and to a location adjacentthe respective legs of the ridgepole which extends along thelongitudinal center of the frame and the pool. Additional bags could, ofcourse, be placed along the peripheral edge portion of the cover at theend adjacent the wall 24.

There is an elongated weight shown as being a pipe 11-3 of plasticmaterial although such pipe may be metal or other suitable material. Theweight 110 could be solid if desired. Weight 110 extends from the end ofthe cover adjacent the wall 24, along the marginal or peripheral edgeportion 106 adjacent the Wall 18 and at least part way along themarginal or peripheral edge portion 106 at the rounded end of the pool.

The marginal or peripheral edge portion of the cover along which theweight 110 extends is attached to said weight by means of a tubularclamp 112 that is generally C-shaped in cross section. A marginal edgepart of the cover is wrapped about the weight 110 and the clamp 112attached over the wrapped portion of the cover and the weight by openingup the clamp and pushing it into place. The clamp may be of any suitableresilient materiai such as a resilient plastic.

When the peripheral edge portion has been attached to the weight 110 theentire weight may be lifted or it may be lifted at either end. Withraising of the weight an adjacent part of the cover is iifted. Thus adoor is provided so that those wishing to enter the pool merely raisethe weight 110 or one end thereof and open the door through which theymay pass. Those wishing to leave the pool can do so by raising theweight from the inside.

While the pool is shown as being irregular in shape, it may be regularin shape. The present invention is readily adapted for use with eithertype of pool.

In FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 there is shown an alternative arrangement forsecuring marginal edge portions of the cover. This means comprises atrough with supports, indicated generally at 122, adjacent the ends.Supports 122 are generally U-shaped and the upstanding walls 124 havearcuate upper edges for reception of the convex under side of thetrough. The supports 122 are secured to the trough by any suitable meanssuch as brazing, as at 123 spot welding or the like. The closed parts125 of the U-shaped supports rest on the deck so that the trough opensupwardly.

A marginal or peripheral edge portion of the cover is disposed in thetrough and a sandbag 108 is placed thereover so that the sandbag holdssaid marginal or peripheral edge portion in said trough. Strips ofsuitable material, such as flexible plastic, further secures theperipheral edge portion and sandbag in piace. One end of each strip 130is secured to the under side of the cover by any suitable well knownadhesive and said strip is passed beneath the trough and between theupstanding arms of a respective support 122, and thence over thesandbag. The outer ends of the strips are secured to the outer side ofthe cover.

With the trough arrangement ventilating air will pass through the space136 beneath the troughs.

The invention and its attendant advantages will be understood from theforegoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes maybe made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts of theinvention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof orsacrificing its material advantages, the arrangement hereinbeforedescribed being merely by way of example, and we do not wish to berestricted to the specific form shown or uses mentioned except asdefined in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. Swimming pool covering apparatus, comprising:

(A) a frame having,

(a) a longitudinally extending ridgepole having a central generallyhorizontal portion and end portions curving downwardly to providesupporting legs,

(b) and rafters connected to and extending laterally from the ridge poleand curving downwardly therefrom to provide intermediate supporting legsterminating in substantially the same plane as the legs of theridgepole, said rafters being spaced apart longitudinally of theridgepole;

(B) a cover of flexible sheet material disposed on the frame;

(C) and means for holding down a marginal portion of the cover, and anelongated weight extending along a substantial marginal portion of thecover to which said marginal portion is secured, said marginal portionand adjacent portion of the cover being raised with raising of saidweight and thereby serving as a door.

2. The invention defined by claim 1, wherein the rafters are in unitshaving two oppositely extending rafters, each unit being arcuate inshape and having an opening at the longitudinal center; and a dependingpin attached to the ridge pole for each of the rafter units, said pinsbeing received in the openings in the pairs of rafters.

3. The invention defined by claim 1, wherein said weight is continuousalong a substantial marginal portion of the cover, including thatportion serving as a door; there being a resilient generally C-shapedclamp coexten sive with said weight throughout substantially its lengthand disposed thereon with an adjacent marginal portion of the coverclamped between said clamp and said weight.

4. The combination of the invention defined by claim 1, with a swimmingpool having a deck, the legs of the frame resting on the deck, the firstmentioned marginal portion and said weight marginally holding the coverdown on the deck; and means for anchoring the legs to the deck.

5. The invention defined by claim 4, wherein the legs of the frame arereleasably anchored to the deck.

6. The invention defined by claim 4, including pins having portionsdisposed in the deck and extending upwardly above the surface of thedeck, and at least certain legs being tubular and disposed on said pins.

7. The invention defined by claim 4, wherein there are notches in thedeck inclined downwardly and outwardly relative to the pool, there beinga notch for at least certain of the legs, said legs being tubular; abracket for each of said legs, each of said brackets having a horizontalportion and an upstanding portion at the outer end, said upstandingportion being disposed in a leg and being arcuate to conform to thecurvature of the inside of the leg; and a link for each bracket, eachlink having a hoop portion at one end received in one of the notches,and a part connected to the inner adjacent end of said bracket, the legexerting an outward resilient force on the upstanding part of thebracket and hence on said bracket and link.

8. The invention defined by claim 4, including troughs disposed along aportion of the periphery of the cover, said cover having back turnedmarginal edge portions to provide at least one pocket disposed in thetrough; the means for holding down the first mentioned marginal portionof the cover comprising at least one weight disposed in said pocket andholding the marginal edge portion of the cover in said trough.

9. The invention defined by claim 4, wherein the frame and the coverform a roof over the pool with the upper portion of the roof spacedupwardly of the top of the pool to permit users of the pool ampleoverhead room when emerging from the water of the pool.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,575,572 11/1951 Wickstrum l5 XR2,646,057 7/1953 Blanchand 13514 XR 2,823,683 2/1958 Smith et al. 1353XR 2,883,676 4/1959 Knake.

3,003,507 10/1961 Ferris 1351 3,077,610 2/1963 Gazdik.

3,158,161 11/1964 Knodel.

3,212,512 10/1965 Morris 135-15 XR 3,361,144 1/1968 Folkes 135-1 LAVERNED. GEIGER, Primary Examiner H. K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner

